USDA Forest Service · Alaska
Shelikof Cabin
USDA Forest Service · Alaska, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 102 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- AT&T weak · T-Mobile none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Tongass National Forest
- Nearest town
- SITKA
- Address
- SITKA RANGER DISTRICT, SITKA, AK, 99835
- Phone
- 907-747-6671
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Hiking
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Shelikof Cabin overlooks a sandy beach of Shelikof Bay on the west coast of Kruzof Island, 20 miles from Sitka, Alaska. The cabin is generally available year-round, weather permitting, and was built in 1991 by volunteers from the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Sitka.
This is a remote site. The cabin can be accessed by helicopter or wheeled plane on the beach during low tide. Alternatively the cabin can be reached by boat, a 45-minute ride from Sitka to Mud Bay, followed by a 7-mile hike, across the Kruzof Island Trail to Iris Meadows and access to Shelikof Trail, subject to tide conditions. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring their own amenities.
Recreation
Scenic viewing, photography, beachcombing and hiking are popular activities here. Fishing is fair for Dolly Varden, coho and pink salmon in a nearby stream.
For information about fishing permits and seasons, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website.
Facilities
The 16 x 16-foot wood A-frame cabin can accommodate up to eight people, with a double bunk bed on the main level and an upstairs sleeping loft reached by vertical ladder. A wood stove for heat, a table with benches, cooking counter, cupboard, broom and an axe or splitting maul are provided. An outhouse toilet is close to the cabin.
The cabin does not include mattresses or cooking utensils. Visitors should bring sleeping bags and pads, a cooking stove, pots, pans, plates, utensils, food, toilet paper, a lantern, garbage bags, a fire extinguisher and fire starter. Rain gear and boots are recommended.
Water is available from a spring about 1/4-mile from the cabin, but must be treated before using. It's recommended that visitors bring their own water.
Click here for more cabin details and maps.
Natural Features
The cabin offers spectacular ocean views of Shelikof Bay's rolling surf from its location at the edge of spruce-hemlock forest. Relatively flat and easy terrain surrounds the cabin and is easy to explore. A expansive sandy beach provides great beachcombing opportunities. North Beach Cabin lies on the northern beaches of Shelikof Bay. Brown bear frequent the area.
Fees
Only one change per reservation for all Alaska cabins is allowed. Change is
defined as a modification to the start or end date of the reservation; after one
change has been made, if additional changes are desired, the customer must cancel
the current reservation and re-book the new dates.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40° | 35° | 8° | 51° | 8 of 11 |
| February | 39° | 32° | 15° | 47° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 39° | 33° | 12° | 52° | 7 of 11 |
| April | 43° | 36° | 21° | 55° | 6 of 11 |
| May | 50° | 42° | 36° | 75° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 54° | 47° | 37° | 67° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 57° | 51° | 47° | 68° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 59° | 53° | 47° | 71° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 57° | 50° | 42° | 66° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 49° | 44° | 31° | 57° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 43° | 36° | 26° | 51° | 5 of 10 |
| December | 39° | 34° | 12° | 48° | 7 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- North Beach Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 1 sites
- Brents Beach Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi · 1 sites
- Freds Creek Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi · 1 sites
- Allan Point Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 14 mi · 1 sites
- Starrigavan Campground and Day Use · USDA Forest Service · 14 mi · 41 sites
All public campgrounds in Alaska · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.